Bernie Sanders is a Socialist and So are You

[Ferd Berfel]

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/11/20/bernie-sanders-is-a-socialist-and-so-are-you/

When it comes to politics, Americans are idiots.

Because American voters are political ignoramuses, Bernie Sanders found it necessary to take the stage at Georgetown University yesterday to explain what socialism, and democratic socialism are. The point being that too many Democratic primary voters plan to cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton, not because they like her or her ideas, but worry that a self-declared socialist (or democratic socialist) won’t be able to beat the Republican nominee in the general election.

(snip)

The United States is a democratic socialist country, albeit a lame one.

Senator Sanders wants less lameness.

(Snip)

There can only be one reason Americans don’t know this stuff: they’re idiots. Their schools made them that way as kids. Media propaganda keeps them stupid as adults.

[leftofcool]

1. Thanks, but I am not stupid and I am voting for HRC

I appreciate your interest in my pretty high IQ.

[MaggieD]

2. Ah, the old calling voters "stupid" gambit

Because everyone knows how well that always works.

[GusBob]

3. If people are so stupid don't waste your time trying to change their minds eom

[LWolf]

4. I disagree.

Not that Bernie is a socialist, or that Americans take some socialist-like benefits for granted, or that some of us are actual socialists, and many more are Sanders' style Democratic Socialists.

I don't think the U.S. is a Democratic Socialist country, lame or no. I think we are rabidly capitalist.

I do agree that American voters are often politically ignorant, although I don't think calling them names solves that problem.

I don't agree that "their schools made them that way as kids."

I do agree that media propaganda is a huge part of the ignorance problem.

I'll point out that voters loved Ronald Reagan, who began to de-regulate media and make propaganda easier. The shifts in American culture and habits, leading to more time with electronic media, fed the problem as well.

I'll point out that each community elects their own school board, and "the schools" are a reflection of what the community wants. That the massive propaganda to celebrate anti-intellectualism and to distrust, dis-respect, and outright attack teachers and schools directly leads to teachers in the K-12 system having to walk very, very softly with no stick to defend themselves, if they don't want to be fired. Because despite the propaganda, it's really quite easy for disgruntled parents to get teachers fired, and when the propaganda has taught them to distrust teachers who teach critical thinking and questioning, that's what they repeatedly attack.

As a matter of fact, two staff members from my building have been fired so far this year, based on complaints from one family each. Another family is currently on the warpath about the curriculum being piloted in my room this year, because it's "too mature and complex." They bypassed me, the principal, and the district head of curriculum and went straight to the superintendent. Fortunately, this particular curriculum was chosen for me to pilot by the district, so I'm not at professional risk. But still...

Instead of placing blame all around, I'd rather talk solutions. This article doesn't really offer any.

I don't disagree with the assessment of why voters vote the way they do, or Clinton, or Sanders. But I don't see this article doing anything but increasing resistance.

[UglyGreed]

5. People here

call each other names all time, it what Americans do best....

[LWolf]

8. Yes.

I'd rather, as one man once said, "Be the change," rather than feeding the dysfunction.

[GusBob]

6. Good points and good post

Thanks for posting

[SunSeeker]

7. No, people calling the US a "democratic socialist country" are wrong.

It is a market economy with a safety net. Granted our safety net is not as good as Denmark's, but that does not make Denmark a democratic socialist country either. Ask the leader of Denmark. http://www.vox.com/2015/10/31/9650030/denmark-prime-minister-bernie-sanders

[Ferd Berfel]

9. Hillary is: Against $15/hr - Against SP - Against Too Big To Fail,

was FOR NAFTA, For Iraq War, Helped create TPP,

WTF?! the 'center' has moved so far to the right she has 'cover' to spout your daddy's republican policies and get away with it.